Taking an environmentally sensitive approach to pest management
REGISTER
Crop Management Conference DECEMBER 4-5, 2024
(If you need hotel accommodations and would like to stay at the Hilton Garden Inn, click here to reserve rooms at the conference rate.)
Missouri's premier agricultural conference for farmers and agricultural industry professionals. This two-day conference provides timely topics from the state's leading agricultural experts. Registration deadline is November 21, 2024. Please contact Heather Nichols, nicholshn@missouri.edu or 573-882-4303, if you have any questions.
PRICING
Full Conference $250.00
One Day Conference – Wednesday or Thursday $175.00
Farmer Full Conference $125.00
Student Full Conference $75.00
wednesday sessions
Soil Compaction Management: Field Machinery Traffic and Impacts on Soil Physical Properties and Crop Yield
8 - 8:50 AM soil & water managementMehari Tekeste
Associate Professor, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Iowa State University
The continuous trend of agricultural farm equipment getting bigger with heavier axles create concerns of soil compaction from excessive loading on wet and loose soil conditions, negatively impacting water infiltration, root development, and crop yield. The effect of machine-induced soil compaction on soil stress under dynamic tire and track vehicle passes, soil physical properties (soil bulk density and soil cone index) and crop yields was investigated in central Iowa. Field measurement of soil compaction and tools to predict soil compaction can be used to manage the effects of soil compaction and will be presented. HIDE
Outlasting the Storm: Commodity Markets and Farm Management
8:50 - 9:40 AM crop managementBen Brown
State Extension Specialist, Agricultural Business and Policy
University of Missouri
In this session, Ben Brown will discuss the outlook for crop markets, policy, and profitability in 2025. Crop markets and profitability are expected to be lower in 2025 and this session will cover a couple key areas that can assist producers weather the financial storm.
In-Season Potassium Management in Soybean
10:00 - 10:50 AM nutrient managementCarrie Ortel
Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist
Virginia Tech
Potassium (K) deficiency is one of the most important yield limiting factors in soybean production. Best management practices begins with routinely soil sampling and following recommended fertilizer rates to avoid any yield limiting conditions. However, recent research has confirmed widespread hidden hunger in production fields, meaning yield loss is occurring without any visual indication of a K deficiency. Therefore, tissue tests are required to identify a K deficiency in-season. Composite leaf samples of 18 leaves should be collected to represent each management zone and interpreted using the dynamic critical concentration curve. Leaf-K concentrations are expected to change throughout the reproductive stages, with pods and seeds acting as a K sink. Therefore, the recently established dynamic thresholds allow for improved diagnosis of K deficiencies during reproductive growth stages. Once a deficiency is confirmed, these deficiencies can be corrected with minimal yield loss if addressed in a timely manner. Severe deficiencies must be corrected within 20 days after the first flower to minimize yield loss, while moderate deficiencies have an extended window out to 44 days after the first flower before permanent yield loss occurs. A granular application of 60-120 lb K2O per acre is recommended to correct a deficiency and must be incorporated with a timely rainfall or irrigation event. Overall, K deficiency is a major yield limiting factor that can be managed to minimize yield loss, even well into the growing season. HIDE
Two beans in a pod: soybean diseases and management
10:50 - 11:40 AM pest managementMandy Bish
Assistant Professor and State Extension Plant Pathologist
University of Missouri
Red crown rot (RCR) was confirmed in two Missouri counties during 2024. We'll discuss RCR, continued concerns over other soil borne diseases, and a few unusual observations of foliar diseases in 2024.
Soybean Planting Dates in Missouri: Adjusting Parameters to Optimize Yield
12:30 - 1:20 PM crop managementAndre Reis
Assistant Professor and State Extension Specialist in Soybean Agronomy
University of Missouri
Planting is the most critical crop management intervention during the growing season. Yield potential is determined by carefully adjusting the variety's maturity group, environmental conditions, and population density. However, balancing these factors can be daunting, often leading to overlooked decisions. We will report the preliminary results of a new approach to planting parameter recommendations in Missouri.
Stacked Conservation Practices
1:20 - 2:10 PM soil & water managementKelly Nelson
Professor
University of Missouri
This presentation will provide an overview of the Conservation Showcase and the impact of stacked practices on crop production and nutrient loss.
New Pesticide Regulations
2:30 - 3:20 PM pest managementRusty Lee and Samuel Polly
Field Specialist in Agronomy/Private Pesticide Applicator Training Coordinator and Pesticide Safety Education Program Director
University of Missouri
Substantial Private Pesticide Applicator training requirement changes take place Jan 1, 2025. We will discuss what these changes are, how they will impact agricutural producers and the retail chemical dealers who serve them.
Making Crop and Pest Management Decisions in an Era of Information Overload
3:20 - 4:10 PM crop managementKevin Bradley
Professor and State Extension Weed Scientist
University of Missouri
Farmers and agricultural advisors are now able to access an almost endless stream of information on just about any crop and pest management question that one could think to ask. However, as the amount of information increases, so too does the challenge of discerning which information is trustworthy and useful and which is not. In this session, we will dive deeper into these complex issues and also discuss some current crop and pest management practices that you might want to reconsider.
thursday sessions
Increasing Drought Resilience through Conservation Practices: Opportunities with Federal Conservation Programs
8:00 - 8:50 AM soil & water managementAdauto Rocha Junior
Assistant Extension Professor in Agricultural Business and Policy
University of Missouri
In this session, Dr. Rocha will provide valuable insights into how conservation practices can help farmers build drought resilience and how government programs can support the adoption of these methods. He will also discuss key USDA programs, such as EQIP, CSP, CRP, and ACEP, that offer payments, technical assistance, and financial support for these practices. Additionally, Dr. Rocha will introduce new tools from a University of Missouri Extension project, designed to guide farmers through the complexities of these programs and enhance their drought preparedness. HIDE
Update on On-farm Nitrogen Response Trials in Corn
8:50 - 9:40 AM nutrient managementJohn Lory
Extension Associate Professor
University of Missouri
This session will review lessons learned from recent on-farm trials testing nitrogen response of corn. We will also review options to use on-farm testing to help dial in corn nitrogen rates.
A Summary of Some Recent Weed Management Research Projects
10:00 - 10:50 AM pest managementKevin Bradley, Grant Coe, Grady Rogers, Trace Thompson and Jesse Yount
Professor and State Extension Weed Scientist and Graduate Students
University of Missouri
In this session, Dr. Bradley and his graduate students will present brief summaries from a variety of new and ongoing weed management projects. Some of the topics that will be covered include updated results from several projects pertaining to the use of UAVs for spraying and spreading, new herbicides and weed management techniques for weed management in pastures, efficacy of deer repellants in soybean, and more.
Change is coming: Proposed changes to nitrogen fertilizer recommendations for forages
10:50 - 11:40 AM nutrient managementJohn Lory
Extension Associate Professor
University of Missouri
Missouri forage recommendations have not been updated in decades. This session summarizes some updates under consideration. The primary focus will be nitrogen recommendations.
Ready for an EAR full? Let's talk corn disesases
12:30 - 1:20 PM pest managementMandy Bish
Assistant Professor and State Extension Plant Pathologist
University of Missouri
Will we see a repeat of 2024 with tar spot continuing to spread, increased southern rust severity, introduction of corn stunt disease, and more? We will recap 2024 observations & discuss 2025 management strategies.
Insect Pests of Soybeans and Corn
1:20 - 2:10 PM pest managementIvair Valmorbida
Assistant Professor and State Extension Entomologist
University of Missouri
Dr. Valmorbida will discuss insect pests that can cause significant yield losses for both corn and soybeans. The topics will include pest identification, sampling, management strategies, and IPM. Additionally, Dr. Valmorbida will cover information on the corn leafhopper, corn stunt, and what to expect for the upcoming growing season.
Opportunities with Climate Smart Ag Practices
2:30 - 3:20 PM crop managementRob Myers and Bethany Bedeker
Professor and Cover Crop Outreach Manager
University of Missouri
Rob Myers will provide an overview of the $25 million MU CRCL project that has nearly 900 Missouri farmers working with climate-smart practices, including 4R nutrient management and cover crops. Bethany Bedeker will provide details on the cover crop program that has several hundred Missouri farmers enrolled. The speakers will also discuss the connection to soil carbon programs and overall industry trends related to climate-smart farming practices.
Utilizing Soil Moisture Data to Improve Drought Monitoring in Missouri
3:20 - 4:10 PM crop managementZachary Leasor
Assistant Professor and State Climatologist
University of Missouri
Several recent drought events have had negative impacts on Missouri's agricultural sector. Dr. Leasor will provide a summary of current drought conditions and a seasonal outlook, and also highlight the utility of soil moisture data for drought monitoring and prediction in Missouri. The presentation will cover the current status of available data and tools, as well as a strategy to expand the network of soil moisture sensors statewide and develop high-resolution drought assessment tools.
REVISED: December 2, 2024